Incorporated for-profit high-growth businesses (priority to companies with 20%+ year-over-year revenue growth) scaling up and producing innovative goods, services or technologies
Services
PrairiesCan Business Scale-up and Productivity
PrairiesCan program supporting incorporated high-growth businesses in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba that are scaling up and producing innovative goods, services or technologies. Offers interest-free, repayable funding of $200,000 to $5 million per project (up to 50% of eligible project costs) for productivity improvement, business scale-up and technology commercialization, with a stated objective to increase capacity for market diversification and entry into global markets. Uses a two-stage continuous intake (expression of interest then full application).
Overview
PrairiesCan program supporting incorporated high-growth businesses in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba that are scaling up and producing innovative goods, services or technologies. Offers interest-free, repayable funding of $200,000 to $5 million per project (up to 50% of eligible project costs) for productivity improvement, business scale-up and technology commercialization, with a stated objective to increase capacity for market diversification and entry into global markets. Uses a two-stage continuous intake (expression of interest then full application).
Key numbers
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Instrument | repayable contribution (interest-free) |
| Level | federal |
| Region | Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba |
| Administrator | Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) |
| Cost share | 50% |
| Min per project | $200,000 |
| Max per project | $5,000,000 |
| Project size | $200,000 - $5,000,000 |
| Intake status | Open - two-stage continuous intake (EOI then full application); applicants may apply at any time |
| Non-US bias | Supports market diversification and entry into global markets (including non-US); no US exclusion |
Eligibility
In operation for at least 2 years in Canada, with staffed operating facilities in the Prairie provinces
Preference given to SMEs with fewer than 500 full-time employees
At least 50% of project funding must come from confirmed non-government sources at the EOI stage and again before project approval
One successful BSP project per organization per calendar year
What it covers
Productivity improvement
acquiring, adapting and adopting new technologies and processes, process re-engineering, improving manufacturing capacity
Business scale-up
developing or expanding markets, adopting best management practices, processes and systems, developing business opportunities
Technology commercialization
growing and diversifying markets through late-stage product development, technology showcasing and demonstration (Technology Readiness Levels 7-9)
Eligible costs are incremental, reasonable and essential to the project
Market and diversification rules
Funding is repayable; repayment terms
1-year grace period after project completion followed by equal monthly payments over 5 years, interest-free, no security required, no early-repayment penalty
Projects typically range from a few months to 3 years in duration
Maximum $10 million to any one organization over time
Ineligible
basic and applied R&D (TRL 1-6), land acquisition and goodwill, salary bonuses, entertainment, refinancing of existing debts, amortization/depreciation, lobbying, donations and membership fees
How to apply
Contact a PrairiesCan regional office (1-888-338-9378) before submitting an EOI
Prepare supporting documents
incorporation documents, business plan or pitch deck, 2 years of financial statements plus interim statements, and confirmed non-government funding evidence
Login to the PrairiesCan portal and complete the EOI form using the BSP EOI help guide
If invited, submit a full application through the online portal
On approval, sign the contribution agreement within 30 days of notification and submit claims for reimbursement
Stacking notes
No published stacking cap; at least 50% of total project funding must come from confirmed non-government sources
Disclose all non-PrairiesCan funding sources at application and again after project approval
Notes
BSP is part of the national Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) program family delivered by all seven RDAs
PrairiesCan priorities include a green Prairie economy (clean technologies), advanced manufacturing, and supply-chain resilience
Relevant services
The services below are grant-eligible: CanExport and EDC reimburse up to 50% for incorporated Canadian exporters.
Book a free readiness call
Grant programs can reimburse up to 50% of eligible market-entry costs. In one free call we tell you honestly whether your product fits a non-US market.
Book a free readiness call